Thousands of demonstrators clash with Togolese police

  • 12/15/2022
  • 22:28
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Lome, Togo, Feb 12, SPA -- Thousands of demonstrators clashed withriot police in the capital for a second day Saturday, protesting Togo's recent army-appointed president in what many are calling a coup d'etat. West African leaders, who are leading the internationalpressure on the Togolese authorities to roll back theirconstitutional changes, have demanded Togo's leaders meetthem in neighboring Niamey, Niger, on Saturday. At least 3,000 protesters hurled rocks and jagged piecesof metal at police, and set garbage fires to block theirvehicles. Security forces fought back with tear gas, batonsand stun grenades, attempting to quell a growing oppositionagainst the appointment of President Faure Gnassingbe. Togo's military made Gnassingbe president Feb. 5 following the death of his father, Gnassingbe Eyadema. At least 10 people were wounded Friday as police andprotesters fought briefly in the same narrow streets of Be,the neighborhood where opposition is the strongest. OnThursday, the country's main opposition movement issued acall to fight the Gnassingbe regime. "Everyday we must fight this president," said MasonLawson, 25, before hurling two large stones at a phalanx ofriot police moving rapidly toward him.--SPA1305 Local Time 1005 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/238837

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